Automatic oil separator



Aug. 1932- E. R. M CLAFFERTY AUTOMATIC OIL SEPARATOR Filed 001;. 13,- 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l I mentor Aug. 16, 1932. E. R. MCCLAFFERTY 1,371,546

AUTOMATIC OIL 'SI-IJPARATOR- Filed Oct. 13, 1931 2 sheets-sheet, 2

Inventor E fa. M d/07% q By ,flilorney Patented Aug. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES EDWARD R. MCCLAFFERTY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA AUTOMATIC OIL SEPARATOR Application filed October 13, 1931.

The present invention relates to an automatic oil separator for low pressure refrig crating machines and has for its prime object to provide a device of this nature which will separate the oil from the gas so as to save the purpose for which it is designed.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the descriptlon proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the device.

Figures 2, 3, 4 andv5 are transverse sections taken respectively on the lines 2-2, 33, 44 and 55 of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a sectional view through the float.

Referring to the drawings in detail it will be seen that the numeral 3 denotes an elongated cylinder open at both ends and having both ends externally threaded. On the upper end of the cylinder 3 there is mounted top head 1 having formed therein the central inlet opening and the off center outlet opening 21. A collar 2 depends from the edge of the top head 1 and is threadedly engaged about the top end of the cylinder 3. Numeral 6 denotes a gas inlet tube extending from the bottom end of the opening 2 and terminating above a partition plate 7 formed with perforations 23 adjacent the edge thereof. This partition plate 7 is located immediately above the center of the cylinder.

Numerals 4 denote frusto-conical baflles having a close fit against the inside of the cylinder 3 while numerals 4 denote similar Serial N0. 568,644.

bafiies fixed to the tube 6 and arranged alternately with respect to the baflles 4. The baflles 4 are supported by rods 5 extending from the tube 6 while baflles 4' are braced by rods 5 extending from the tube 6.

Numeral 8 denotes a hollow float with a dependingneedle valve 9 extending'through a guide 10. Numeral 11 denotes a needle va ve seat, a portion of which extends into oil outlet openings of bottom head 13. This bottom head 13 is provided with a collar (112 threaded about the lower end of the cylin-- Numeral 26 denotes a clean out plug threaded in an opening in the. bottom head .13. The working and advantages of the oil separator are as follows:

The oil laden gas vapor is forced by the compressor into the separator through the gas inlet tube. The oil is removed from the gas vapor by the bafile and drops down into the bottom of the separator. The gas now free from the oil continues to flow upward and out through the outlet connection to the condenser. When the oil has reached a certain level in the bottom of the separator it will raise the float and needle valve and the oil will return to the crank case of the com- I pressor.

The advantages of this separator are first: All the oil which will have to be used will be in the crank case of the compressor.

As it is now, the cooling unit has a charge and thereby prolong the life of the compressor. There is-also an obvious saving of oil and thecapacity of the separator will be increased. i

It is thought that the construction, operation, utility and advantages of this invention will now be quite apparent to those skilled in this art without a more detailed description thereof.

The present embodiment of this invention has been described in considerable detail merely for the purposes of exemplification since in actual practice it attains the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description.

It will be apparent that changes in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. A separator of the class described includin a cylinder, a top head for the cylinder, a ottom head for the cylinder, said top head being provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a tube extending from the top head communicating with the inlet opening down into the cylinder, baflies extending inwardly from the inside of the cylinder about the tube, and baflies extending outwardly from the tube alternately arranged with respect to the first baflies, a partition across the cylinder below-the tube and having perforations, said bottom head having an outlet opening, and float valve control means therefor.

2. A separator of the class described ineluding a cylinder, a top head for the cylinder, a bottom head for the cylinder, said top head being provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a tube extending from the top head communicating with the inlet opening down into the cylinder, baflies ex; tending inwardly from the inside of the cylinder about the tube, and bafiies extending outwardly from the tube alternately arranged with respect to the first baflles, a partition across the cylinder below the tube and having perforations, said bottom head having an outlet opening, a needle valve seat in said last mentioned opening, a guide about the seat and rising therefrom, a needle valve extending through the guide to engage with theseat, and a float fixed to the upper end of the needle valve.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EDWARD R. MGCLAFFERTY. 

